PA
Boquete
A cool highland town of coffee farms, cloud forest and Panama’s highest volcano
A cool highland town of coffee farms, cloud forest and Panama’s highest volcano
At 3,474m, this dormant volcano is Panama’s highest point. Hikers often climb overnight to reach the summit for sunrise, when on clear days both the Pacific and the Caribbean can be seen.
The climb is long and cold; go with a guide or well prepared.
Photo: Sachagriffin, CC BY-SA 3.0
Several farms offer tours of the fields and roasting, ending with a tasting. Geisha coffee from this region has set price records at auction.
Photo: gailhampshire, CC BY 2.0
Trails such as the Lost Waterfalls and the Pipeline Trail lead through cloud forest to waterfalls. Small trail fees apply.
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
The Sendero Los Quetzales crosses Volcán Barú National Park towards Cerro Punta. The cloud forest is a good place to look for the resplendent quetzal.
Check that the trail is open before you go.
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
About 40 minutes away by rough road, natural hot pools sit beside a river.
Photo: Boquete Mountain Safari, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try local coffee, fresh trout, strawberries from the highlands and Panamanian dishes such as sancocho (chicken soup).
The town has a wide range of cafés and international restaurants.
Boquete is about 40 minutes by road from David, which has an airport with flights from Panama City and is about 6–7 hours from the capital by bus.
Local buses run between David and Boquete; taxis and shuttles reach trailheads.
Panama uses the US dollar (the balboa is used for coins and is equal to US$1).
Prices are approximate; check current rates.
Coffee, forest and volcano.
Tour a coffee farm and walk around town.
Hike the Lost Waterfalls or Pipeline Trail.
Climb overnight for sunrise, or relax at the Caldera hot springs.
Mornings are mild but Barú’s summit can be near freezing.
In the wet season, hike in the morning.
Book Geisha tastings ahead.
The Boquete flower and coffee fair is usually held in January.
Quick answers for planning time in Boquete.
3,474m, the highest point in Panama.
On clear days, yes.
Fly or bus to David, then about 40 minutes by road.
A coffee variety grown in Boquete that fetches very high prices.
December to April, the dry season.
Planning a wider trip? Our Panama travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.